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Mapquest has rolled out a new application programming interface (API) for ActionScript 3.0 developers. The new API is MapQuest's first native API for Flash (and Apollo) and should allow for complex web apps to take advantage of ActionScript 3's speed improvements.
For the initial beta phase [the new API][4] will be available only as a commercial offering, though MapQuest will reportedly offer a limited free version later this year.
Interesting to note that Google's recently announced street level view appears to using Flash as well and Yahoo Maps offers a Flash API, though it uses the older ActionScript 2.0 language.
The new API uses native ActionScript 3 which offers a faster runtime environment compared to previous versions and the availability of the API inside the Flex builder application should make it easier for developers easier to build apps and mashups using MapQuest's services.
There's a nice sample application that [overlays golf course data][3] and another that shows [address book contacts][2]. While both are fairly fast, many may find the pointless animation reminds them of Flash's darker days. So far there don't seem to be any demos utilizing Adobe's new Apollo platform.
While MapQuest is still the leader in map search traffic, Google, Yahoo and Microsoft are all nipping at its heals and given that all three offer their APIs for free I don't imagine it will too long before one of them overtakes MapQuest.
[via [O'Reilly Radar][1]]
[1]: http://radar.oreilly.com/archives/2007/05/where_20_mapque.html "Where 2.0: Mapquest API Announcement"
[2]: http://www.mqdemo.com/flash/DemoApp1/DemoApp1.html "Mapquest Addressbook demo"
[3]: http://www.oobgolf.com/courses/finder/ "Oobgolf course finder"
[4]: http://company.mapquest.com/mqbs/4a.html "MapQuest's new API for Adobe ActionScript"
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